Operator
Jim Croce & Don McLean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
See, the number on the matchbook is old and faded
She's living in L.A. with my best old ex-friend Ray
A guy she said she knew well and sometimes hated
Isn't that the way they say it goes? Well, let's forget all that
And give me the number if you can find it
So I can call just to tell 'em I'm fine and to show
I only wish my words could just convince myself
That it just wasn't real, but that's not the way it feels
Operator, well could you help me place this call?
Well, I can't read the number that you just gave me
There's something in my eyes, you know it happens every time
I think about a love that I thought would save me
Isn't that the way they say it goes? Well, let's forget all that
And give me the number if you can find it
So I can call just to tell 'em I'm fine and to show
I've overcome the blow, I've learned to take it well
I only wish my words could just convince myself
That it just wasn't real, but that's not the way it feels
No, no, no, no - that's not the way it feels
Operator, well let's forget about this call
There's no one there I really wanted to talk to
Thank you for your time, ah, you've been so much more than kind
And you can keep the dime
Isn't that the way they say it goes? Well, let's forget all that
And give me the number if you can find it
So I can call just to tell 'em I'm fine and to show
I've overcome the blow, I've learned to take it well
I only wish my words could just convince myself
That it just wasn't real, but that's not the way it feels
In Jim Croce's song "Operator," he is trying to make a call to a woman who he used to know. The number he has is old and faded, and he needs the help of the operator to connect him with the woman living in L.A. with his best old ex-friend Ray. Croce feels uneasy about calling the woman after what he has been through. He knows that the love he thought would save him did not. At first, he wants to convince her that he is doing fine and has overcome his pain, but he realizes that he cannot even convince himself that it was not real.
Croce's lyrics express a mix of sadness, nostalgia, and regret. He acknowledges the way things go and the fact that his relationship has come to an end. He tries to move on by reaching out, but he cannot erase his memories. The last lines suggest that Croce has decided not to place the call after all, as he realizes there is "no one there [he] really wanted to talk to."
Overall, "Operator" is a moving song that speaks to the complexities of human relationships and the pain of unrequited love.
Line by Line Meaning
Operator, well could you help me place this call?
The singer is asking the operator for assistance in calling someone.
See, the number on the matchbook is old and faded
The phone number the singer has is difficult to read and may not be correct.
She's living in L.A. with my best old ex-friend Ray
A guy she said she knew well and sometimes hated
The person the singer wants to call is living in Los Angeles with someone who used to be the singer's friend, but who the person has a complicated relationship with.
Isn't that the way they say it goes? Well, let's forget all that
And give me the number if you can find it
So I can call just to tell 'em I'm fine and to show
I've overcome the blow, I've learned to take it well
I only wish my words could just convince myself
That it just wasn't real, but that's not the way it feels
The artist is reflecting on the way relationships often end, but is determined to call anyway to prove that they have moved on and are doing well. However, the artist acknowledges that they still have doubts and wish they could convince themselves that the past isn't real.
Well, I can't read the number that you just gave me
There's something in my eyes, you know it happens every time
I think about a love that I thought would save me
The artist cannot read the number given by the operator due to tears caused by memories of a love they thought would save them.
Operator, well let's forget about this call
There's no one there I really wanted to talk to
Thank you for your time, ah, you've been so much more than kind
And you can keep the dime
The singer decides to abandon the call since they realize they have no one they really want to talk to. They thank the operator for their help and allow them to keep the money for the call.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Jim Croce
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nasha Yama
00:00 The Sound of Silence – Simon & Garfunkel
03:04 Remember When – Alan Jackson
07:34 Operator – Jim Croce
11:19 Scarborough Fair – Simon & Garfunkel
14:27 Carolina in my mind – James Taylor
18:25 Empty Chair – Don McLean
21:53 I’m Sorry – John Denver
25:26 Four Strong Winds – Neil Young
29:29 Teach Your Children – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
32:22 Tin Man – America
35:49 Photographs and Memories – Jim Croce
37:53 Sweet Baby James – James Taylor
40:44 Vincent – Don McLean
44:43 April Comes She Will - Simon & Garfunkel
46:32 Dreaming’ Again – Jim Croce
49:09 Pussywillows Cattails – Kenny Rankin
52:32 Poems, Prayers & Promises – John Denver
56:36 Kathy’s Song – Simon & Garfunkel
59:52 These Dreams – Jim Croce
1:03:04 Wandering – James Taylor
1:05:45 Time in a Bottle – Jim Croce
1:08:13 This Old Guitar – John Denver
1:11:04 Lover’s Cross – Jim Croce
1:14:08 Annie’s Song – John Denver
1:17:16 Old Friends - Simon and Garfunkel
When music was made using instruments, pencils and papers, no computers no internet or social media. If they make music like this now the world will be much better place. Thank you for sharing these everlasting gifted songs that will never get old or die, but only to bring good memories and soul nourishment.
Sarcipious
[00:00] Sound of silence
[03:04] Remember when
[07:32] Operator
[11:17] Scarborough fair
[14:27] Carolina in my mind
[18:25] Empty chair
[21:50] I'm sorry
[25:25] Four strong winds
[29:30] Teach your children well
[32:23] Tin man
[35:48] Photographs and memories
[37:53] Sweet baby James
[40:43] Vincent
[44:45] Dreaming again
[49:10] Pussywillows
[52:33] Poems, Prayers and Promises
[56:36] Kathy's song
[59:53] These dreams
[1:03:04] Wandering
[1:05:43] Time in a bottle
[1:08:09] This old guitar
[1:11:03] Lovers cross
[1:14:07] Annie's song
[1:17:18] April comes she will
Best Slow Rock Music
When we were young back then we didn't realize how lucky we really were! Great music, people all had respect for one another. Unlike today.
Tammy Brennan
@Ben Carini God Bless America 🇺🇸
Phyllis Gambardella
Thats why we need to keep teaching respect for all.
Sally Miller
Why it is said youth is wasted on the young, you don't appreciate how blessed you were until its gone. At least we still can hear these great classics at any age and remember.
Obi-Wan Kenobi
I'm so disappointed in my generation of music... It sucks compared to this
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At 65 I long for the day when God wasn't a dirty word . Teacher did try to tell you how screwed a free nation was . When mom and dad had a say . When what you were born with is what you went to the grave with . When brothers and sisters all enjoyed each others company around the dinner table . When dad was served first . Being rich wasn't was in your pocket but in your heart . Let's get back to simple , if we can . Go Navy ! Navy vet 74-79 . I saw how bless we truely were and still are .
Nasha Yama
00:00 The Sound of Silence – Simon & Garfunkel
03:04 Remember When – Alan Jackson
07:34 Operator – Jim Croce
11:19 Scarborough Fair – Simon & Garfunkel
14:27 Carolina in my mind – James Taylor
18:25 Empty Chair – Don McLean
21:53 I’m Sorry – John Denver
25:26 Four Strong Winds – Neil Young
29:29 Teach Your Children – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
32:22 Tin Man – America
35:49 Photographs and Memories – Jim Croce
37:53 Sweet Baby James – James Taylor
40:44 Vincent – Don McLean
44:43 April Comes She Will - Simon & Garfunkel
46:32 Dreaming’ Again – Jim Croce
49:09 Pussywillows Cattails – Kenny Rankin
52:32 Poems, Prayers & Promises – John Denver
56:36 Kathy’s Song – Simon & Garfunkel
59:52 These Dreams – Jim Croce
1:03:04 Wandering – James Taylor
1:05:45 Time in a Bottle – Jim Croce
1:08:13 This Old Guitar – John Denver
1:11:04 Lover’s Cross – Jim Croce
1:14:08 Annie’s Song – John Denver
1:17:16 Old Friends - Simon and Garfunkel
When music was made using instruments, pencils and papers, no computers no internet or social media. If they make music like this now the world will be much better place. Thank you for sharing these everlasting gifted songs that will never get old or die, but only to bring good memories and soul nourishment.
Tammy Brennan
❤️👍💕❤️
Ashamed Republican
Thanks for doing this. I couldn’t skip passed Alan Jackson fast enough
Alex Macario Cecilio
Great music, great memories... we are truly blessed to hear these masterpieces from once in a life time music artists